Danger or Opportunity?

On Saturday, October 4, a mass gathering of Christian men
will assemble on the Mall in Washington, D.C. Their theme,
"Stand in the Gap," is taken from Ezekiel 22:30:
"I looked for a man among them who would build up the
wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the
land." The organizers hope it will be a day of prayer,
repentance, and reconciliation on behalf of the church and
the country.

This assembly is being organized by Promise Keepers.
Founded by former Colorado football coach Bill McCartney, the
movement has grown from a small gathering in Colorado Springs
in 1990 to one capable of filling stadiums around the
country. Its focus on men-only gatherings has drawn heavy
criticism.

The National Organization of Women recently called Promise
Keepers "the greatest danger to womens
rights." An article in The Nation magazine called
them "one of the most sophisticated creations of the
Religious Right." Other critics have claimed that the
organization is simply an attempt to assert male dominance
over women, that its talk of racial reconciliation is a
cynical ploy to win minorities for the Republican Party, and
that the organization is a stalking horse for the political
Far Right who dream of a theocratic, Christian nation.

In a society where male irresponsibility, absent fathers,
and abused women have reached epidemic proportions, why does
an organization committed to honoring Jesus, building strong
marriages and families, overcoming racial prejudice, and
following the gospel draw such suspicion? Hundreds of
thousands of men who have attended Promise Keepers rallies
have testified to their changed livesin new commitments
to Christ, new relationships with their wives and families,
and new dedication to racial reconciliation. Wives have
testified to changed husbands. African-American and white men
have formed friendships. Pastors have spoken of renewed
participation in congregations and communities. The Promise
Keepers rallies have inspired men to take more responsibility
for their behavior and their families.

While some of the suspicion comes from mistrust of
political motives, a large part is rooted in a secular
inability to understandand at times an active hostility
tothe language and style of evangelical Christian
ministry. The first of Promise Keepers "Seven
Promises" is a commitment "to honoring Jesus Christ
through worship, prayer, and obedience to His Word, through
the power of the Holy Spirit." Promise Keepers, like
many other ministries, emphasizes the role of changed
individuals as a vital component of social transformation.
Our society does not understand that belief.

FOR THOSE OF US who share this commitment, legitimate
questions can still be raised in the areas of gender roles,
racial issues, and politics. The fourth promise is a
commitment to "building strong marriages and families
through love, protection, and biblical values" and to
"honoring women." Rally speeches and publications
put forth an equivocal message regarding male-female
relationships. Some speakers talk of men "taking
back" a leadership role, referring to Ephesians 5:22
("Wives, be subject to your husbands"); while
others preach on Ephesians 5:21 ("Be subject to one
another") and urge men to recognize an "equality of
leadership." McCartney speaks of leadership as
servanthood. His sendoff at rallies is reported to be,
"Men, go home and out-serve your wives."

Reconciliation and healed relationships between men and
women are important first steps, but the more fundamental
issues of sexism and gender equality in the church and in
society must be addressed as well. The advances women have
made in the past 30 years cannot and should not be rolled
back.

Another key promise is a commitment to "reaching
beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate
the power of biblical unity." It is in this area that
Promise Keepers has had perhaps its greatest impact. The
message that "Gods love breaks down the walls of
separation...regardless of race or denomination" has
been a powerful catalyst. The prayers and tears among men of
all races as they confess the sin of racial prejudice and ask
Gods help to overcome it is a significant part of the
rallies.

Personal racial reconciliation is a significant first
step, but institutional and structural racism that continues
to permeate society must be addressed. As McCartney said,
"Racism is an insidious monster." McCartney also
observed that the major obstacle to racial reconciliation in
the church is a spirit of white racial superiority fostered
by white churches. How will he and the organization move to
address that spirit?

So far Promise Keepers has remained emphatically
apolitical. But their stated concern for those who are poor
and for transforming the community has obvious political
implications. If and when Promise Keepers decides to enter
the political arena, will it become an arm of the Religious
Right or will it contribute to a new Christian political
vision? Even if some questions remain unanswered and future
direction remains unclear, a Christian organization dedicated
to revival, responsibility, and service should be recognized
for its successes and encouraged on its next steps.

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